Road-vehicle.



M. R. DAMORA.

ROAD VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 41, 1909.

Patented Mar.29,19l10.

M. R. DAMORA.

ROAD VEHICLE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1909.

95 3,31 2.' Patented Mar.29,191 0.

` 'I SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

M. R. DAMORA.

ROAD VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1909.

Patented Mar.l 29, 71910.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mvuus www0/aoco M. R. DAMORA.

ROAD VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED smell, 1909.

M. R. DAMORA.

ROAD VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1909.

953,31 2. Patented Mar.29, 1910.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

M. R. DAMORA.

ROAD VEHICLE.

APPLIGATION FILED sEPT.'1, 1909.

'1 SHEETS-SHEBT 7.

Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

unan s mais FF CE.

ROAD-VEHICLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

Application led September 1, 1909. Serial No. 515,623.

To all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW R. DAMORA, a citizen of `the United States, residing at New York city, inthe county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Road-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in road vehicles and particularly to improvements in self-propelled road-vehicles; and an object of my invention is to provide a self-propelled road-vehicle with means for automatically changing the position of one clutch-member to correspond to changes in the position of its cooperating clutch-member, in order to maintain the two members in driving contact. In the particular embodiment of my invention hereinafter' set forth, oneof the .clutch-members is carried by the wheel and the other clutch-member is. carried by the shaft or axle upon which the wheel isloosely mounted. The latter-,is also yieldngly mounted and due to thev yielding nature of its mounting, it is free to change its position with respect to the' shaft or axle which carries it; and thereby the clutchmcmber carried by the wheel is changed in position with respect to the clutch-member carried by the axle or shaft.

' It is the purpose of the arrangement of parts hereinafter described to make the movement of the part carrying one clutchmember cause such a movement of the part carrying the cooperating clutch-member that the two clutch-members will be maintained in driving contact, while the wheel is permitted to yield due to inequalities in the roadway and like causes.

Another object of my invention is to pro- 'vide a road vehicle of the character herein described with means for limiting the movenient of the center of each Wheel to a single plane passing through the axis of the shaft which carries the wheel. yieldingly mounted, there is, 'of course, a tendency of the wheel-center to move out of the line which forms the geometrical axis of the shaft which carries the wheel. By means of devices which are hereinafter described and with. which my road vehicle is provided, the oscillations of the' wheel-center are confined to a single -plane passing through the axis of the shaft which carries the wheel. In the particular embodiment of my inven- The latter being.

tion hereinafter described, these devices comprise a centering-ring which is carried within a c hamber formed in the hub of the wheel, rocker-plates and link mechanism by which this centeringring is connected through these rocker plates to the housing or casing in which the shaft is rotatably mounted (this casing being connected to the transmission casing and to the chassis of the vehicle through the vehicle springs, not shown herein).

It will be understood by all skilled in this art that the dimensions of the parts, the accuracy of'thei r mechanical lit and the proportioning of the members to resist the stresses imposed will be such as to accomplish the result intended; that is, the compelling of the center of the wheel to move in a straight line.

In the drawings' illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to me of applying that principle, Figure 1 is a central vertical section through the clutch-shaft, wheel and clutch-members; Fig. 2 is a detail of the centering-ring and parts carried thereby; Fig. 3 is a view of the centering-ring similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in a different position; Figs. 4, 5

and 6 are vdetail views of one of the rockerarms 3 actuated by the centerinU-ring; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of one of the vrocker-plates fw; Fig. 10 is an end view ofl the housing y' which carries the rocker-plates fw and the rocker-arms 3'; Fig. l1 is a section on the line A-A of a section on the line B-B o Fig. 1; Fig. 13 is a detail, in section, of the pinions 13, racks 14 and connected parts; Fig. 14 is a section on the line C C of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a section on the line D-'D of Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a detail partly in section, of the wheel;l Fig. 17 is a central longitudinal section of the centering-ring; Fig. 18 is a View of the wheel in elevation and partly in section; Fig. 19 is a view showing my invention as applied to a front or driven wheel; and Fig. 20 is a view similar to' Fig. 1 but showing the lparts in a different position.

The driving-shaft a is keyed by the splines or feathers d to the hollow shaft or sleeve c formed with longitudinal slots c and keyed by the feathers or'splines d to the clutch-shaftA a. On the latter is mounted fast the hub of the clutch-pulley b. Through the diametrically-opposed slots e extend the ends 'of a pin f. The shaft a is actuated Fi 1o; Fig. 121s y opposed lateral .walls of the chamber o in l byv the motor (not shown) and in vturn drives the sleeve c, which through the pmand-slot connection just described drives the clutch-shaft a and the clutch-pulley b. The driving shaft a', sleeve c and clutch-shaft a are held within a housin y' fastened to the transmission casing (nots own) and formed with an annular depressionor groove/m, in its inner wall. Upon the sleeve ,o and 1n guideways la in the wall of the annular depression m is slidably fitted a hollowl shifting collar or drum n having a chamber 0. The pin f extends through a hole in the clutch-shaft a and is connected at its ends to and carries a rino g which lies in the chamber 0 and is form d with a circular groove h in'each of its lateral faces. Balls i lie in the 5 grooves h and between the ring g and the the drum n. Any movement of lthe 'hollow shifting collar or. drum n in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clutchshaft a will result in a corresponding movement of the latter.

'The vehicle wheel p is provided with a built-up hub g, spokes 7', rim s and tire s and is carried by thek outer end of the sleeve 0, between which and the hub g is interposed a ring t of rubber or like yielding material, The hub g is formed with a chamber o in which is carried a centering-ring u between which andthe walls of the chamber o are interposed balls fw', fw. l

' Movement of the wheel-hub g in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clutch-shaft a and resulting in the deformation of the rubber cushion t causes `movement 'of the centering-ring u in a direction at right angles 'to the longitudinal axis of the clutclrshaft a. Pivotally mounted in the housing j on the rock-shafts fu, o, are rocker-plates w, w, each having a curved rib or flange which rests upon anti-friction rollers y carried by the' lcenteringring u. The latter is connected by the links z' to the rocker-plates w, which are in turn connected by the links 2 to the rocker-arms 8. These rocker-arms are mounted on the rock-shafts vEach rocker-arm`3 is formed at its inner end` with a toothed'segment'6 and atA its outer end with a curved guide-rib or [lange 7 which bears against the anti-friction roller 8. As shown in Fig. 17, the latter 'is mounted in the centering-ring u. It will be ob-4 vious from aninspection ofthe drawings that asthe centering-ring u is moved in a vertical plane due to the movement of the wheel-hub g, the rocker-plates fw will be swung on thel rock-shafts o as pivots and, through the links 2, will actuate the rocken arms 3. The housing y' is provided with a depression orrecess 9 to permit-'the free inward movement of the toothed segments 6.

Each of the rock-shafts 4, to whiclithe 4 journaled-inthe boxes 5upon the housing y rocker-arms 3 are fast,carries at one end a mutilated gear 10 which meshes with a mul tilated gear 11 fast upon the outer end of a shaft 12 journaled in the casing j and carrying near its mid-point a pinion 13. To thel i shifting-drum m are attached one end of l1 each of a pair of rack-bars 14 the other ends I of which are fastened to a slidable collar 15 l, between which and one end of the housing 7' 's interposed a coil-spring 16 which 'is l wound around the sleeve c. In mesh with l the rack-bars 14 are the pinions 13; hence, -when the rock-shafts 4 are rocked by the levers 3, the mutilated gears 10, through the mutilated gears 11 with which they are in l mesh, turn the shafts 12 and thereby the pinions 13 so as to move the racks 14 in the l direction of the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft a. Such movement of the racks 14 causes a movement in the same direction of I the shifting-collar u and the ring g in the l latter which movement is communicated through the pin f' to the clutch-shaft itself.

The wheel-hub g is provided with a drivingcone 16; and to the pulley I) is fastened an annular driving-shoe 17 faced with suitable frictional material 18. The shoe-1T frictionally drives the clutch-cone 16 and therethrough the wheel-hub g. Itis obvious tion at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the clutch-shaft a, thelatter should be moved in the direction ofA that axis in order to shift correspondingly the pulley Z)A and therethrough the place of frictional contact between the shoe 17 and t-he clutch-cone 16. l This lengthwise movement of the clutchl shaft aand resulting shifting of the pulley Z) is accomplished by the movement of the centering-ring u, which movement is communicated through the links s, 2, rocher-arms 3, roclihaft's 4, gears 10, 11, shafts 12, pinions clutch-shaft a.

to the front axle of anr automobile)v Between the wheel-hub Q and the sleeve cl is interposed a cushion t and movementof the wheel-hub g causes a lengthwise movement of the axle or shaft a lin the same manner as the movement ofthe wheelhub g produces a lengthwise movement of the clutchshaft a, as hereinbefore set forth.

I claim; Y l 1. In a road-vehicle, the Acombination of Aa wheel provided with a clutch-member; al rotary shaft upon which said wheel is carfree to move transversely; a second' clutchmember carriedby said shaft and adapted to cooperate with theiirst-named clutchvshaft and wheel and actuated by th'e Inovement of the latter transversely of said shaft.

2. In a roadfvehiele, the combination of l that when the wheel p is forced in a direcl In Fig. 19 my invention is shown applied 13, racks 14, drum a, ring g and pin f to the y ried and with respect to which the latter is member and mechanism connected with said y iso' a wheel provided -with aclutch-member; a rotary shaft upon which said wheel is yieldingly. carried; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft andadapted'to coperate with the first-.named clutch-member; and mechanism connected with said shaft and wheel and actuated by the movement of the latter transverselyof said shaft.

3. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a wheel provided'yvith a clutch-member; a

rotary shaft upon vwhich .said Wheel'is yieldingly carried; a` second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch-member; a shifting device carried by said wheel; and mechanism connecting said shaft and shifting device.

.4.In a road-vehicleythe 'combination of a wheel provided with a clutch-member; a rotary shaft upon which said wheel is yieldingly carried.; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch-member; a shifting device, carried by said wheel; and toothed mechanism connected with said device and shaft.

5. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a housing; a shaft mounted therein; a carrier device slidably mounted in Vsaid' housing and connected with said shaft for carrying the same lengthwise; a wheel provided with a clutch-member and yieldngly mounted on sa-id' shaft; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch-member; and toothed mechanism which is connected with and actuated by said Wheel and whiclnactuates and is connected with said carrier-device.

7. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a housing; a shaft mounted therein; a carrier-ring slidably mounted in said housing andl connected with said 'shaft for carrying the same lengthwise; a wheel provided with a clutch-member and yieldingly mounted on said shaft; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to cooperate with the first-named clutch-member; and mechanism whichis connected with and actuated by. sai-d wheel and which actuates and is connected with said carrier-ring.

8. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a housing-a shaft. mounted therein; a car rler-rlng'slldably mounted 1n said housing;

- ingly a. second ring which lits slidably in said carrier-ring and is fastened to said shaft; a Wheel provided with a clutch-member and yieldingly mounted on said shaft; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to .coperate with the first-named l.clutch-member; and mechanism 'which 1s `connected with and actuated by sald wheel and which actuates and is connected with said carrier-ring.

9. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a housing; a shaft mounted therein; a wheel provided with a clutch-member and yieldingly mounted upon said shaft; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch-member; mechanism mounted in said housing and connected withA said shaft for moving the same lengthwise; and devices which are connected with andactuated by said wheel and which actuate and are connected with said mechanism.

10. In a road-vehicle, thecombination o a-housing; a shaft mounted therein; a wheel provided with a clutch-member and yleldclutch-member carried by said shaft and mounted upon said shaft; a second' adapted to coperate with the first-named y clutch-member; toothed mechanism mounted in said lhousing and connected wlthvsald .shaft for moving the same lengthwise; and

devices which are connected with and actuated by said wheeland which actuate and are connected with said mechanism.l

11. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a housing; a -shaft mounted therein; a wheel provided with a .clutch-member and yieldingly lmounted upon said shaft; a

second clutch-member carried `by said shaft and adapted .to coperate with the firstnamed clutch-member; mechanism mounted in said housing and connected with said shaft for moving the same lengthwise; a shifting device carried by said Wheel; .and links connecting said device and mechamsm.

12. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a housing; a" shaft mounted therein; a wheel provided with a clutch-member and yieldingly mounted upon said shaft; a

second clutch-member carried by said shaftand adapted to cooperate with the firstnamed clutch-member; toothed mechanism mounted in said housing and connected with said shaftl for moving the same lengthwise; a shifting device carried by said wheel; and links connecting said device and mechanism.

13. In a road vehicle, the combination ofv a housing; a shaft mounted therein; a Wheel provided with a .clutch-member and yieldingly mounted upon said shaft; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted tovcoperate with the firstnamed clutch-member; mechanism mounted in said housing 'and connected with said lshaft for moving the same lengthwise; a

shifting ring carried by said Wheel; and

first-named clutch-member; and mechanism Y' wise; a wheel provided with a clutch-mem-v A which is connected with and. actuated ,by said wheel and Which is connected Withv and causes .movement of said carrier device. 15. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a housing; a shaft `mounted therein; a spring-controlled carrier device slidably mounted in said housing and connected with said shaft for carrying the same lengthwise; a wheel provided with a clutch-member and yieldingly mounted on said shaft; a second clutch-'memberv carried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch member; and toothed mechanism whichis connected with and actuated by said `wheel and which is connected withl and causes movement of said carrier-device.'

16. In a road-vehicle, the combination of al housing; a shaft mounted therein; a spring-controlled. carrier ring slida-bly mounted in said housing and connected with said shaft for. carryingv the same lengthyb er and yield-ingly mounted onsaid shaft; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch-member; and ymechanism which is connected with andy actuated by 4said wheel and which is connected with and causes movement of said carrier-ring.

is fastened to said shaft; a

17. In a road-Vehicle, the combination of a housing; ashaft. mounted therein; a springcontrolled carrier-ring -slidably mounted in said housing; which fits slidably in said carrier-ring and wheel provided and yieldingly 'a 'second with a clutch-member mounted onA said shaft;

to coperate with the first-named clutchmember; and mechanism which is connected with and actuated by said wheel and which is connected with and causes movement of a wheel provided with a lclutch-member; a

shaft upon whichv said wheel is yieldingly mounted; -a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-namedI clutch-member; a shiftingring carried by said wheel; mechanism -'confa .second ring clutchmember carried by said shaft and adapted y i' York,

nected with said shaft for moving the same lengthwise;rocker-plates; and links which connect the latter with said shifting-ring and mechanism.

19. In a road-vehicle, the combination of a wheel provided with a clutch-member; a housing; ajshaft which is mounted in said housing and upon which said wheel is yieldingly mounted; a second clutch-member carried by said shaft and. adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch-member; a' shifting-ring carried by said Wheel; mechanism mounted in said housing and connected with sai-d shaft forv moving the same lengthwise; rocker-plates mounted in said housing; and links which connectthe latter with said shifting-ring and mechanism.

20. In a vroad vehicle, the ,combination of a wheel provided with a clutch-'member;` a housing; a shaft which is mounted in said housing and upon which said Wheel is yieldingly mounted; a second clutch-member .ar-

ried by said shaft and adapted to coperate with the first-named clutch-member; a centering-ring carried by said Wheel; toothed mechanism mounted insaid housing and connected with said shaft for moving the same lengthwise; rocker-plates mounted in said housing; and links which connect the latter with said centering-ring and mechanism.

21. In a road vehicle, the combination of a Wheel; a rotary shaft upon which the same is mounted free to move in a plane at right angles tol the axis of the shaft independently of the latter; and mechanism which causes the center of said Wheel to move in a straight line.

22. In a road vehicle, the combination of a wheel; a rotary shaft upon which the same is yieldingly mounted free to move -to and 'from the axis of said shaft; and mechanism 4 'I which causes the center of said wheel to `move in a straight line.

23. In a road vehicle; the combination of a wheel; a rotary shaft upon which the same is mounted free to move to and from the axis o f said shaft independentlyof the latter; a housing in Which said shaft is mounted; andmechanism which causes'the center of said wheel to follow a straightline-in its movements to and from the axis of said shaft.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand inthe presence of the two yundersigned witnesses at New York city, lNew this thirty-first day of August, A. D. vmfiubnsw s.. DAM'ORA. Witnesses: i

ALBERT HAMILTON, i -MARGARET HAMILTON. 

